Cal ISO to Integrate Electric Vehicles In Its Grid

January 28th, 2014 by Fiedler Group

The corporation responsible for managing California’s electric grid — California Independent Systems Operator Corp. (Cal ISO) — released a 44-page document indicating it will integrate electric vehicles into its grid, thus improving the value of those alternative energy vehicles.

Cal ISO’s paper — “Vehicle-Grid Integration Roadmap: Enabling Vehicle-based Grid Services” — outlines that vehicle electrification will help fight climate change.

A core component of the planned vehicle grid integration is V2G — where electricity is given back to the grid in times of peak demand — a bidirectional flow of power that helps realize the benefits from the widespread use of electric vehicles.

The roadmap’s creative approach leverages the synergies between electric vehicles and the state’s electric grid.

Cal ISO notes the initiative is in response to California Governor Jerry Brown’s challenge to have 1.5 million zero emission vehicles on California roads by 2025.

Cal ISO is leading the coordinated effort with the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, California Air Resources Board, the Governor’s office, and alternative energy industry stakeholders.